Integrated, durable, backlit, ergonomic, low pressure, electronic, internet accessible, biometric locker system with ventilated plenum, diffusion plate, hydrophilic base, tambour door, and sustainable components

ABSTRACT

An improved locker is provided. The locker includes a ventilation system that draws air into and out of the locker to facilitate drying articles in the locker. An electronic control system in the locker permits a user to transmit and receive messages to and from a remote source, and, to access the Internet. The locker door slides along tracks when opened and closed to minimize the risk of damage to the door. Backlighting and positioning of counter top surfaces in the locker make the locker ergonomically friendly.

This invention pertains to locker systems found in gymnasiums, publicplaces, and other locations for storing personal belongings and otherarticles.

More particularly, the invention pertains to locker systems that areless prone to damage, that facilitate lighting of the interior of thelockers, that facilitate the ergonomic use of the lockers, that improveventilation of the lockers, that facilitate communication of the lockerusers with other parties, and that reduce the likelihood the lockers canbe entered illegally.

In a further respect, the invention relates to lockers that areintegrated with environmental control and communication systems inbuilding structures.

Lockers have for many years been utilized in gymnasiums, airports, andother places. Even though existing lockers are practical and in manycases advantageous to utilize, there are disadvantages or problemsassociated with using such lockers.

One problem is that the ventilation and air flow in a closed lockertypically is minimal. Although the doors on many lockers are louvered topromote air flow into and from the locker, the air flow typically isminimal. When airflow in a locker is minimal, moisture in the lockerdoes not readily evaporate and moisture-related and other odors tend totravel out of the locker into surrounding areas.

Another problem associated with existing locker systems is that hingedlocker doors in such systems tend to be readily damaged when user pulls,slams, or leans on opened locker doors.

A further problem associated with conventional locker systems is thatthe lighting inside each locker is insufficient.

Still another problem associated with existing locker systems is thatthe lockers are susceptible to water damage in the event the floor of agymnasium or locker room is wet and water on the contacts the bottom ofthe lockers.

Still a further problem associated with existing locker systems is thatto a large extent they utilize resources that are not readilyreplenished without damaging the environment.

Yet another problem associated with existing locker systems is that thelockers in the systems do not provide a ready means for communicatingwith the individuals assigned to the lockers.

Yet a further problem associated with existing locker systems is thatthey utilize locks that are readily disabled by a skilled individualwanting to gain illegal access to the lockers.

Yet still another problem associated with existing locker systems isthat they often are not ergonomically friendly.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved lockersystem that resolves the problems set forth above in connection withconventional lockers.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide animproved locker system for storing personal items and other articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that can be integrated with existing environmental andcommunication systems in a building structure.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that will prevent locker doors from being damaged when open.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that utilizes in large part sustainable materials.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that provides a pneumatic system to ventilate the locker.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that uses backlighting and other light dispersing materials toilluminate the interior of the locker.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that can be opened only by the individual assigned to the locker.

Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedlocker system that permits the individual assigned to the locker tocommunicate with the Internet.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lockersystem that facilitates the intercommunication of a coach with themembers of his team.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved locker systemthat utilizes the unique physical properties of an individual tofacilitate operation of the system.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a locker constructed inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the electronic control unit inthe locker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating the locker of FIG. 1 whenthe tambour door is opened;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective section view of the locker of FIG. 3illustrating further construction details thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the locker of FIG. 3 illustratingfurther construction details thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the locker of FIG. 3illustrating further construction details thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a locker system constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective section view illustrating air flow in the lockerresulting from the pneumatic system integrated with the locker; and,

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system that can be integrated andused with a locker or with a plurality of lockers.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide an improved lockersystem. The locker system includes a building structure including a roomhaving a floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in the room. Eachof the lockers includes an interior; an air intake; an air out take;and, a pneumatic system to remove air from the interior of each of thelockers to produce a low atmospheric pressure volume in the interior ofeach of the lockers, the low atmospheric pressure volume causing ambientair to flow through the air intake into the interior of each of thelockers.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved lockersystem. The system includes a building structure including a room havinga floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in the room. Each of thelockers includes an interior; a base fabricated from a hydrophilicmaterial and contacting said floor; and, a door.

In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved lockersystem. The locker system includes a building structure including a roomhaving a floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in the room. Eachof the lockers includes an interior; a base; a door; sides; a back; and,a light source in the locker for dispersing in the interior of thelocker light produced by the light source.

In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improvedlocker system. The locker system includes a building structure includinga room having a floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in theroom. Each of the lockers includes an interior; a base; a door; and, asystem for accessing the Internet.

In still a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improvedlocker system. The locker system includes a building structure includinga room having a floor and walls; a processing system for producingdigital data signals defining a message; and, a plurality of lockers inthe room. Each of the lockers includes an interior; a base; a door; and,a reception system for receiving the digital data signals. The lockersystem also includes a communication system for transmitting the digitaldata signals from the processing system to the reception system in eachof the lockers.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved lockersystem. The locker system includes a building structure including a roomhaving a floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in the room. Eachof the lockers includes an interior; a base; a door; a lock; and, acontrol system for opening and closing the lock to access the locker.The control system receives and evaluates biometric data and comparesthe biometric data to reference biometric data to open the lock.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improvedlocker system. The locker system includes a building structure includinga room having a floor and walls; and, a plurality of lockers in theroom. Each of the lockers includes an interior; a base; a door; and,sides each made from sustainable materials.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved lockersystem. The locker system includes a building structure including a roomhaving a floor and walls and a central air conditioning system; and, aplurality of lockers in the room. Each of the lockers includes aninterior having a first portion and a second portion; an air intake; anair out take; and, a duct system connected to and integrated with thecentral air conditioning system to direct air flow through the firstportion of the interior to create low pressure in the second portion ofthe interior.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferredembodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating thepractice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of theinvention, and in which like reference characters refer to correspondingelements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a lockerconstructed in accordance with the principles of the invention andgenerally indicated by reference character 100.

Locker 100 includes top 12, back 25, and parallel spaced apart sides 10.The bottom of locker 100 includes panel members 7 and 8 that typicallycontact or are adjacent the floor 102 of a room in a building structure.Floor 102 depends from vertically oriented wall 101 (FIG. 7). Top 12includes lock 13 adjacent the front edge 12A of top 12. Top 12 is openedor removed by opening lock 13. Top 12 can, if desired, be hinged alongits rear edge 12B so that top 12 pivots along edge 12B when lock 13 isopened and top 12 is lifted upwardly.

Perforated rectangular floor panel 17 rests on panel members 7 and 8.U-shaped rubber or metal member 15 fits over and protects the leadingedge of floor panel 17. Hollow quarter-round 16 extends from member 7 tomember 15. As is depicted in FIG. 8, a vent 60 can be formed throughquarter-round 16 (and through member 7) to permit air to be drawn in thedirection of arrow A into the open space 17A beneath floor panel 17 andupward through apertures 61 in the direction of arrow B into theinterior 71 of the lower portion to locker 100. Quarter-round 16 can,like member 15, also be fabricated from rubber or some other durablematerial that will resist scraping, kicking, and rubbing by the shoes ofindividuals and by equipment that is used to clean floor 102 and thatcomes into contact with quarter-round 16 and member 15. The shape anddimension of quarter-round 16 and member 15 can vary as desired, as canthe shape and dimension of each piece and component of locker 100.

Vertically oriented panels 74, 75 (FIGS. 5 and 6) section or divide theinterior 70, 71 of locker 100. Table top 19 is positioned twenty-eightto thirty-six inches above floor 102 to facilitate use by the individualor individuals assigned to locker 100. Horizontally oriented shelves 20,22 and 26 (FIG. 4) are perforated to facilitate air flow through shelves20, 22, 24 and to facilitate airflow in and ventilation of the interiorof locker 100.

Mirror 24 rests on horizontally oriented shelf 23 (FIG. 4) and is spacedaway from back 25 such that a light (not visible) can be positionedbetween mirror 24 and back 25 back lite mirror 24. The normal reflectivetinting or coating is partially removed from the back of mirror 24 tocreate “openings” through which light can pass to illuminate a user'sface with light emanating from the light that is positioned between themirror and back 25. Mirror 24 also functions to diffuse light outwardlythrough and from the peripheral edge of the mirror in directionsparallel to the rectangular planar face of the mirror.

Baskets or drawers 18 are mounted on rails (not visible) such thatdrawers 18 can be pulled out and pushed in in conventional fashion. Theopenings in wire baskets 18 facilitate the circulation of air in andthrough locker 100.

Plenum space 70 (FIGS. 1 and 8) is formed between shelf 20 and top 12.Each rail 1 is mounted on the canted leading edge of one of sides 10.The parallel peripheral edges of tambour door 5 engage, slide along, andare guided by rails 1. A motor (not visible) mounted on locker 100 inplenum space 70 rolls and unrolls tambour door 5 on a rotatable axle 5A.When the motor is used to roll and unroll door 5, the motor and door 5function as a lock. Door 5 can be opened and closed only by activatingthe motor. When door 5 is closed, the interior 71 of locker 100 can notbe accessed. When door 5 is opened, the interior 71 of locker 100 can beaccessed.

If, on the other hand, door 5 is or can be manually opened (when thereis no motor to open door or when the motor permits the door to be openedeven when the motor is not operating), then door 5 does not function asa lock and a separate lock normally is used. Such a lock could, forexample, be similar or identical to locks found on the entryway doors inresidences and buildings.

FIG. 1 illustrates door 5 in the closed position.

FIG. 3 to 6 illustrate door 5 in the open position.

Clothes hanger or hook 101 is mounted on the lower portion of perforatedpanel member 14. A fluorescent light 30 or other light source is mountedbehind (or, if desired, in front of) panel member 14. Light from light30 travels through openings (not visible) in the bottom lip 14A ofmember 14 and illuminates the front or outer surface of door 5.

The perforations 14B in panel member 14 promote the flow of air throughthe interior 71 of member 14, as do perforations 66 (FIG. 8) in shelf20, perforations 61 (FIG. 8) in floor panel 17, and the perforations inshelves 22 and 26.

The left hand rail 1 in FIG. 1 includes a flange on which an electroniccontrol unit 3 is mounted with an elongate bracket 2. Control unit 3includes a display-control screen 3A and typically also includes amicroprocessor. Unit 3 can be permanently secured in place with bracket2, or, unit 3 can be removable such that unit 3 can be removed frombracket 2 and carried to and used at remote locations and then bereinserted in bracket 2. When unit 3 is removable, unit 3 and bracket 2includes a “hot shoe” or other means that establishes electrical contactwith unit 3 when unit 3 is insert in bracket 2 and that permits data tobe transmitted to and from unit 3 via bracket 2. Alternatively, data canbe transmitted to and from unit 3 in wireless fashion via atransmitter-antenna unit in unit 3. The use of an electronic controlunit 3 as a component of locker 100 is not necessary, but is preferred.Unit 3 can perform several functions. Unit 3 can include a touchsensitive screen 3A that permits a user to enter data and control unit 3by pressing his finger on “buttons” or other symbols that appear on thetouch sensitive screen in accordance with instructions from amicroprocessor that is in or remote from unit 3.

First, unit 3 can, before accepting various commands from an individualor before permitting an individual to otherwise make use of unit 3,carry out one or more procedures for identifying the individual. Unit 3can, for example, require that a numerical code consisting of a selectednumber of specific digits be input. If the digits input match thenumerical code in the reference file utilized by unit 3, then theindividual can continue use of unit 3. If the digits input do not match,unit 3 does not allow the individual to use unit 3.

Or unit 3 can acquire biometric data by reading the individual'sfingerprints, by doing a retinal scan, by doing a voice analysis, bydoing a DNA analysis of skin cells, etc. Unit 3 compares the biometricinformation acquired with reference biometric information on file in thememory of unit 3 or in the memory of another unit accessible by unit 3.If the acquired biometric information matches the reference biometricinformation, the individual can continue using unit 3. If the acquiredinformation does not match the reference biometric information, furtheruse of unit 3 is prevented.

Unit 3 can communicate with other remote devices via optical fibers, viamicrowave or other wireless forms of communication, via direct “hardwire” connection, or by any other desired communication system.

Second, unit 3 can be equipped to allow the individual assigned tolocker 100 to use unit 3 to access and use the Internet.

Third, unit 3 can include work processing software, scheduling software,or any other software for use by the individual assigned to locker 100.

Fourth, unit 3 can be equipped with a microphone and speaker and othercomponents that permit an individual to utilize unit 3 as a telephone.

Fifth, unit 3 can be equipped to permit an individual to control thedoor motor that opens and closes door 5. Once, for example, unit 3satisfactorily confirms the identity of an individual, the individualcan utilize unit 3 to operate the door motor to open and close door 5.

Sixth, unit 3 can communicate with other systems that transmit data tounit 3 or receive data from unit 3. For example, the coach of anathletic team can input messages in a remote computer and then transmitthe messages as appropriate to the unit 3 on each locker 100. The samemessage can be sent to each unit 3 on the lockers 100, or, a differentmessage can be sent to each unit 3 on lockers 100. The messages can betransmitted via e-mail, via a computer network, or via any other desiredmeans. The individual assigned to each locker can also utilize a unit 3to send a message from unit 3 to the computer, television (for displayon the television screen) or other apparatus of a coach or otherindividual. Unit 3 can includes a computer keyboard or other data inputsystem. Unit 3 can be fabricated to receive and read or write on a CD,floppy disk, or any other desired media storage device.

One goal of the invention is to utilize sustainable materials toconstruct most of locker 100. Sustainable materials are materials thatare obtained from a replenishable resource that does not violate ordamage the environment. Recycled materials ordinarily are not consideredto be sustainable materials because it requires more energy to recyclematerials than to harvest and use materials from another replenishableresource. Sides 10, top 12, shelves 20, 22, 26, table top 19, drawer 21,cupboard door 27, member 14, and members 7 and 8 can be fabricated fromstrawboard. Strawboard is a sustainable material. Strawboard iscomprised of a composition comprising the stalks and husk from wheatplus a binder. This composition is pressed together to form a board. Ifdesired, the sustainable strawboard can be coated with a hydrophilicskin comprising a polymer or polymers or other water resistant or waterproof material. Strawboard is produced without recycled materials.

Members 7 and 15 and quarter-round 16 wear because of contact with shoesand with equipment used to clean and maintain floor 102. Thesecomponents are therefore preferably fabricated from a material likemetal or a polymer that has a consistent homogenous compositionthroughout the material, or at least has a consistent homogeneouscomposition to a depth of one-eighth of an inch. When a component has aconsistent composition throughout, wear of the material is less evident.

When top 12 is opened, the motor that opens and closes door 5 can beoperated to override any command that may be in or being issued by unit3.

The pneumatic system used to ventilate a locker or lockers 100 isimportant in the practice of the invention. As earlier noted,perforations 61 in floor panel 17, perforations 66 in shelf 20, andperforations in shelves 22 and 26 facilitate the circulation of airinside and through a locker 100. FIG. 8 illustrates an air circulationsystem in which perforations 62, 63, 63, 65 are also formed in the sidesand back of a locker 100.

In FIG. 8, side 10 is replaced with hollow side 10A. Side 10A includes ahorizontally oriented rib 43 that divides the hollow space inside side10A into a first lower volume 41 and a second upper volume 42. Airtravels into interior 71 through vent 60 in the direction indicated byarrow A, and through apertures 61 in the direction indicated by arrow B,through vent opening 40 and apertures 62 in the direction indicated byarrow C, and from space 17A (underneath floor panel 17) throughapertures 61 in the direction indicated by arrow B. Air from interior 71travels through apertures 64 into upper volume 42 and thenceforthupwardly and out through vent opening 44 into the interior plenum space70 in the manner indicated by arrow F. Air can also travel upwardlythrough interior 71 in the manner indicated by arrow K, and then throughapertures 66 in shelf 20 and into interior plenum space 70. Airtraveling into vents 63 in the manner indicated by arrow D travelsupwardly and then out through apertures 65 into the plenum space 70 inthe manner indicated by arrow G. The upward travel of air into plenumspace 70 is promoted by developing a low pressure area in interior 71.This low pressure is produced by a flow of air traveling throughopenings 28A in panels 28 in the manner indicated by arrows I and J inFIGS. 3 and 8. This air flow draws or suctions air from the interior 71,creates low pressure in interior 71, and promotes the incoming flow ofair into interior 71 through apertures formed in floor panel 17, side10A, back 25A, etc. Openings 28A, perforations inside the locker, etc.are engineered to insure that a low pressure area is created in thelocker and air is drawn out of the locker via the air flow passingthrough the top (or bottom, if desired) of the locker.

An alternate method of using a flow of air to create low pressure ininterior 71 is to integrate the locker system with an environmentalcontrol system (for example, an air conditioning system orhumidification system) in the building structure 200 by running a length79 of ducting over the top 12 of each locker 100. An opening 79A is cutin each top 12 in registration with a like opening cut in the ductingsuch that when air flows through ducting 79 in the direction of arrow M,said air flow draws air out from plenum space 70 and interior 71 andcreates a low pressure area in interior 71 than promotes an incomingflow or air into interior 71 and plenum space 70 in the manner indicatedby arrows A, B, C in FIG. 8. When ducting 79 is utilized, it is notnecessary to form openings 28A in panels 28. Ducting 79 is part of theair conditioning system in the building structure 200 or is connectionto ducting in the air conditioning system of the building 200.

If desired, the flow of air indicated by arrows I, J, M in FIGS. 3 and 7can be directed into a locker or locker to produce higher than normalpressure in interior 71 and to cause air to flow outwardly throughperforations in directions opposite those indicated by arrows A, B, C,D, F, G, H. It is, however, preferred to create a low pressure area ininterior 71 such that the air flow indicated by arrows I, J, and Mcarries moisture and odors out of the lockers and room in which thelockers are situation. The air flow I, J, M can be exhausted to theambient atmosphere surrounding the building structure in which thelockers 100 are located, or, can be dried, de-odorized or otherwiseprocessed and directed back into the building structure occupied by thelockers 100. The flow of air from the interior 71 into plenum space 70can be facilitated by mounting a fan or other air flow control apparatusin each locker 100. For example, a fan can be mounted below opening 79Aand direct air from plenum space 70 (and therefore from interior 71)directly into ducting 79.

Irrespective of whether the atmospheric air pressure produced ininterior 71 is greater or less than normal atmospheric pressure, it isimportant in the practice of the invention to produce an air pressuregradient or differential that promotes the flow of air through interior71 to remove moisture and odors from interior 71.

An odor absorbing element or pad 70A can be inserted on top of shelf 20in the manner indicated by arrow L in FIG. 8 to remove odors from airbeing drawn into and out of plenum space 30. Pad 70A can includecharcoal, potassium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate, or any other desiredodor absorbing components. Odor absorbing materials can be positioned inlocker 100 at any desired location, although it is preferred to placesuch materials at locations where air is forced to flow through thematerials.

FIG. 9 illustrates a control system that can be incorporated in controlunit 3. The system includes a memory 81 and controller 80. Memory 81includes Internet data 85, message data 86, telephone data 87, andpneumatic data 94. Control 80 includes Internet sub-routine 82, messagesub-routine 83, telephone sub-routine 84, and pneumatic sub-routine 93.Display 90 can, for example, comprise the display screen 3A on controlunit 3. Data input 91, 94, 92 comprises a keyboard or any other meansfor inputting data. The communication system 18 can comprise anycommunication system, but typically is a remote computer used to sendmessages and audio data (i.e., telephone calls) to control 80 by e-mailor other means. The pneumatic system includes the motor used to open andclose door 5 (which motor typically is electric) and includes the systemused to control the flow of air into and out of interior 71 and interiorplenum space 70.

In use, lockers 100 are provided and are installed, typically withmembers 7 and 8 on or adjacent floor 102 and a wall 101 of a buildingstructure 200. Lockers 100 may, however, be stacked one on top of theother in conventional fashion, or, may be suspended from the ceilingabove floor 102 and away from a wall 101.

Control unit 3 in each locker 100 is programmed with reference datadefining the fingerprint of the individual assigned to the locker.

The door 5 in each locker 100 can only be opened (unless the override ofthe motor is used by opening top 12) by operating with unit 3 the motor95 that is mounted in plenum 70 and that controls the door 5. Unit 3 isintegrated in a communication system in the building structure 200 byconnecting unit 3 to the computer (communication system 18) of the headcoach of the team and by connecting to the Internet 88 using telephonelines or other communication means in the building structure 200. Unit 3is also integrating in a speaker system in the building structure 200and includes a speaker and a microphone that permits the user to maketelephone calls and that connects the user with a speaker and microphonein the coach's office.

The user approaches his (or her) assigned locker 100. He places histhumb against the display screen 3A. Unit 3 reads the user's thumb printand compares that gathered biometric data with reference data stored inthe memory 81 of unit 3. The gathered biometric data corresponds to thereference data. The message:

-   -   “IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED. PROCEED”        appears on display screen 3A. The user inputs data 91 by        operating a small keyboard (not visible) on unit 3 to see if        unit 3 has received any messages. The message:    -   “YOU'VE GOT MAIL”        appears on display screen 3A. The user operates the key board to        retrieve the message. The message says:    -   “PRACTICE THURSDAY. 5 AM. SOUTH FIELD.”        The controller in unit 3 utilizes message data 86 and message        sub-routine 83 to enable the user to access and read the        message.

The user operates the key board to place a telephone call and depressesnumerical keys on the key board to dial 602 494 8700. The phone callgoes through. Via the speaker in unit 3, the user hears the receptionistat Heuristic Design Labs say:

-   -   “HEURISTIC DESIGN LABS. MAY I HELP YOU?”        The use responds into the microphone in unit 3:    -   “THIS IS TIM ADKINS. CAN I RESCHEDULE MY 2:00 APPOINTMENT        TOMORROW TO 1:00?”        Via the speaker in unit 3, the user hears the receptionist at        Heuristic Design Labs say:    -   “YES. I HAVE RESCHEDULED YOU.”        The user says:    -   “THANK YOU.”        and hangs up. The controller uses telephone data 87 and        telephone sub-routine 84 to enable the user to make the        foregoing telephone call.

The user operates the key board on unit 3 to access the Internet. Oncethe Internet is accessed, the user accesses e-mail and sends his coachan e-mail. The user then signs off from the Internet. The controllerutilizes Internet data 85 and Internet sub-routine 82 to enable the userto access and sign off from the Internet 88.

The user enters data in the key board directing the controller to opendoor 5. The controller utilizes pneumatic data 94 and pneumaticsub-routine 93 to send a command to the door motor 95 to open door 5from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the open position of FIGS. 3 to 5.The user places some items in locker 100 and operate the key board toclose door 5. The controller commands the door motor 95 to close door 5.

The user had been out-of-town for a month and had shut off theventilation through his locker 100 by using unit 3 to operate a motor 96(FIG. 9) to close a louver cover over opening 79A so that duct 79 couldnot withdraw air from interior 71. The user uses unit 3 to cause thecontroller to operate the duct motor 96 to open the louver cover overopening 79A. The controlled utilizes pneumatic data 94 and pneumaticsub-routines 93 to generate a command that causes the duct motor 96 toopen opening 79A.

In FIG. 1 wear molding 15 functions to protect the locker 100 from beingscratched, dented or otherwise damaged by vacuums or other articles thatare on or adjacent the floor and may come into contact with locker 100.In FIG. 2, reference character 6 identifies the left track or channelfor door 5. In FIG. 1, reference character 11 identifies the rear orback panel of locker 100.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skillin the art to make and practice it, and having described the presentlypreferred embodiments thereof, I claim:

1. A locker system including (a) a building structure including a roomhaving a floor and walls; (b) a plurality of lockers in said room, eachof said lockers including (i) an interior, (ii) an air intake, (iii) anair out-take, and (iv) a pneumatic system to remove air from saidinterior of each of said lockers to produce low atmospheric pressurearea in said interior of each of said lockers, said low atmosphericpressure area causing ambient air to flow through said air intake intosaid interior of each of said lockers.
 2. A locker system including (a)a building structure including a room having a floor and walls; (b) aplurality of lockers in said room, each of said lockers including (i) aninterior, (ii) a base fabricated from a hydrophilic material andcontacting said floor, and (iii) a door.
 3. A locker system including(a) a building structure including a room having a floor and walls; (b)a plurality of lockers in said room, each of said lockers including (i)an interior, (ii) a base, (iii) a door, (iv) sides, (v) a back, (vi) asystem for dispersing light in said interior.
 4. A locker systemincluding (a) a building structure including a room having a floor andwalls; (b) a plurality of lockers in said room, each of said lockersincluding (i) an interior, (ii) a base, (iii) a door, (iv) a system foraccessing the Internet.
 5. A locker system including (a) a buildingstructure including a room having a floor and walls; (b) a processingsystem for producing digital data signals defining a message; (c) aplurality of lockers in said room, each of said lockers including (i) aninterior, (ii) a base, (iii) a door, (iv) a reception system forreceiving said digital data signals; and, (d) a communication system fortransmitting said digital data signals to said reception system in eachof said lockers.
 6. A locker system including (a) a building structureincluding a room having a floor and walls; (b) a plurality of lockers insaid room, each of said lockers including (i) an interior, (ii) a base,(iii) a door, (iv) a lock, (v) a system for opening and closing saidlock to access said locker, said system receiving and evaluatingbiometric data and comparing said biometric data to reference biometricdata to open said lock. Internet.
 7. A locker system including (a) abuilding structure including a room having a floor and walls; (b) aplurality of lockers in said room, each of said lockers including (i) aninterior, (ii) a base, (iii) a door, (iv) sides made from sustainablematerials.
 8. A locker system including (a) a building structureincluding (i) a room having a floor and walls, (ii) a central airconditioning system; (b) a plurality of lockers in said room, each ofsaid lockers including (i) an interior having a first portion and asecond portion, (ii) an air intake, (iii) an air out-take, and (iv) aduct system connected to said central air conditioning system to directair flow through said first portion of said interior to create lowpressure in said second portion of said interior.